MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - PNCWA

Days are getting longer and temperatures are on the rise. What better time to get out of the office and participate in upcoming

events hosted by the Lower Columbia Section. This is the year to get involved. I for one am very excited to become the new LCS Chapter President and can’t wait to meet all of you at one of

our events in the year ahead. For those that don’t know me, the past three years I have acted as the Young Professional Chair

and Vice President for the LCS chapter. I also was fortunate enough to work with a great group of young professionals

throughout the PNCWA region to set up the YP Monday Night Networking event at the Bend conference.

In the coming months we will:

• Continue to provide informative tours, seminars and workshops. Keep an eye out for an announcement for a tour of the North Plains Pump Station.

• Establish a student chapter at Portland State University and improve collaboration with

the existing student chapter at Clackamas Community College.

• Promote networking of wastewater and water industry professionals

The whole is only as good as the sum of its parts.

Luckily for me, the current group of Lower Columbia

Section board members and volunteers are talented

and motivated . I am very excited to work with such

a dynamic group in the upcoming year. If you are

interested in joining this group or have any ideas for

tours please feel free to contact me or any LCS of-

ficer.

Dana Devin-Clarke,

President Lower Columbia Section

([email protected])

QUARTERLY E-NEWSLETTER

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

2ND QUARTER 2014 JUNE 2014

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CLEAN WATER ASSOCIATION

LOWER COLUMBIA SECTION

Inside this issue:

What is PNCWA, LCS, YP? 2

Facility Tour: Plasti-fab 3

Wastewater Math Challenge 4 & 5

Adventures in the Islands—Episode 2 5-9

PNCWA - LCS Contacts 12

Calendar of Events 13

Solutions to Wastewater Math Challenge 15

AWWA-PNCWA YP Group Social 10

Page 1

The Young Professionals division of the PNCWA LCS

is open to anyone under 35 years of age or with less

than 10 years of experience in the clean water indus-

try. LCS’s YP events are held quarterly and expose

rising professionals to the fundamentals of

wastewater treatment technology. Industry profes-

sionals are encouraged to attend as well. Each event

is designed to promote learning specific to our in-

dustry. Events range from touring municipal

wastewater treatment plants, breweries or even hap-

py hour events for networking. If you have an event

you would like to suggest or to learn more about the

PNCWA, please contact one of the YP chairs:

Dana Devin-Clarke ([email protected])

Jeff Hart ([email protected])

More information on events, as well interesting news bits from around the web can be found on

the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.org/LCSYP.

PNCWA is a professional organization for people in clean water industries in the states of Ida-

ho, Oregon, and Washington. Members include wastewater treatment plant operators, consult-

ing engineers, scientists, water and wastewater treatment equipment manufacturers and repre-

sentatives, and students.

Mission Statement:

“Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA) is dedicated to preserving and enhancing

the water quality in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. We promote the technical devel-

opment of our members, the dissemination of information to the public and the advancement of

science needed to protect the water environment.”

What is Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA)?

What is Lower Columbia Section

(LCS)?

“A young professional is

anyone under 35 years of age or anyone with

less than 10 years of

experience.”

Page 2

PNCWA– LCS E-NEWSLETTER 2ND QUARTER 2014

The Lower Columbia Section is one region of the PNCWA encompassing Portland (OR) and

surrounding areas of Northwest Oregon.

What’s Going On in the Lower Columbia Section?

See what’s new, find opportunities for training, and meet your officers at our website. We are

always looking for people interested in getting involved. Check out the Lower Columbia Sec-

tion’s website and the PNCWA at http://lowercolumbia.pncwa.org.

What is the Young Professionals (YP) division?

Page 3


Last April 25th, the Lower Columbia Section had the opportunity to

tour Plasti-fab. Plasti-fab is a manufacturer of Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) products for water and waste-water applications. They

are located in Tualatin, Oregon and have been for over 40 years.

Plasti-fab manufactures a variety of gates, gauges, flumes, man-holes, stop logs, skimmers and shelters which are extremely corro-

sion resistant and have similar strength of other types of materials. We got to observe how resin and fibers were sprayed on molds for

flumes and how other molds held resin in the creation of gates. Then we saw a large variety of shelters to house equipment.

The folks at Plasti-fab work on making sure you get what you want and that their product will fit the particular application. After the tour, our group enjoyed a get together that

was hosted by Plasti-fab at Max’s Fanno Creek Brew Pub.

For further information about Plasti-fab, visit

http://www.plasti-fab.com

FACILITY TOUR: Plasti-fab

Page 4


One of the fundamental equations used in the industry is the Pounds Formula. The Pounds Formula is used in everything from calculating chlorine dosages to

digester loadings.

We can use dimensional analysis to determine how the Pounds Formula was developed.

We might as well tackle the thorniest issue of the Pounds Formula first. That issue is that the Pounds Formula takes a weight per volume measurement and converts into

concentration of parts per million parts.

By that I mean, how is it that mg/L = parts/million parts? A liter of water was weighed and found to weigh 1000

grams, which is 1,000,000 milligrams. Now yes, it’s true that a gallon of pure water might not weigh the same as

a gallon of water teeming with biological organisms, but consider this; biological organisms weigh very close to what water weighs. In small to medium

concentrations, it’s close enough. There are some calculations that try to acknowledge the difference in

high solids content sludge by using 8.43 instead of 8.34 as a conversion factor, but most stick just with 8.34.

Here is how the Pounds Formula came about using the density of water:

1 mg X L X gram (s) = mg = part per million

L 1000 gram(s) 1000 mg 1,000,000 mg

Flow Million Gallon(s) X Concentration mg (ppm) X 8.34 Pounds = Pounds Day Million mg Gallon(s) Day

This is why the Pounds Formula works. Now that you understand it, all that remains is

commit the two formulas to memory:

Flow (MGD) X Concentration (mg/L) X 8.34 = pounds per day and Volume (MG) X Concentration (mg/L) X 8.34 = pounds

If you can work these two formulas, 85% of your tests will be a snap!

WASTEWATER MATH CHALLENGE:

Page 5


Questions:

1) If the influent flow to your treatment plant primary clarifier is 6.5 MGD and carries a TSS concentration of 350 mg/L, how many pounds of TSS does the primary clarifier

see per day?

2) If your aeration basin is 20-ft wide and 60-ft long with a depth of 15-ft, how many

pounds of biomass will the aeration carry if the MLSS is 2500 mg/L and the volatile

portion is 85%?

Solutions on Page 14.

This article was written by Rob Peacock (a former LCS President and former Hawaii resident) and

Greg Castro (current Hawaii resident). There was interest by LCS members on wastewater in climates

other than the Pacific Northwest. The following article is the second episode of “Adventures in the

Islands” that introduces LCS members to Hawaiian Wastewater.

Keeping the Garden Isle Smelling Like a Garden

Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle”, and the name is justified by the Island’s lush tropical forest, spectacular

views, and its friendly people. The Coco Palms Resort sits on the windward side of Kauai in Wailua, and was

known as one of the great destinations in Hawaii from the 1950s to the 1990s. The Elvis Presley movie “Blue

Hawaii” was filmed on location at the resort, and many other celebrities and world figures have vacationed in this

location. Hurricane Iniki’s direct hit on Kauai in 1992 caused significant damage to the Island and particularly to

the resort. While the community around the resort rebuilt, the hotel remains closed in 2014, as plans to restore it

have been delayed.

WASTEWATER MATH CHALLENGE:

Continued...

Adventures in the Islands—Episode 2 by Rob Peacock and Greg Castro

Page 6


The County of Kauai Wastewater Management Division owns and operates the Coco Palms Wastewater Pump Station,

collecting wastewater from the Wailua area gravity system, as well as from two other wastewater pump stations. It

conveys wastewater to the Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant via its 18-inch diameter forcemain. The Coco Palms

Pump Station is located at a busy intersection with commercial development nearby and many residents and tourists

passing through the area daily. Foul odors from the pump station generated numerous complaints; subsequently the

County made a commitment to eliminate the odors.

The County tested odor control technology including biofilter manhole inserts, air fresheners placed on the pump

station property fence, and injection of chlorine solution into the pump station wet well. Unfortunately, the odors and

complaints persisted, so the County decided to take a more aggressive approach.

Source of Odors

Wastewater odors are typically caused by many sulfur-

containing compounds including hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Due

to H2S being easily monitored using field instruments, it was

used as the indicator compound for an odor study conducted

by the County.

To determine the cause and source of the odors, the County

monitored H2S concentrations in the Coco Palms Pump Station

Wet Well and gravity sewer manholes which discharge to the

wet well. Through this monitoring they found daily average

H2S concentrations exceeding 100 ppm, and periodic peaks

greater than 300 ppm from August 2012 through September

2012. The graphic below shows the complex network of pump

stations and gravity sewers in the basin that contribute to the

potential for generating odors.


Page 7


Of particular note is the Arzadon Pump Station with a forcemain 45,000 feet long. This pump station was apparently

designed to accommodate growth, as it currently provides long residence times in the wet well and the forcemain.

These conditions, plus wastewater temperatures around 75° F, and daily high ambient temperatures typically above

85° F contribute to anaerobic biological activity in wastewater, creating the offending odor compounds.

The first step in evaluating the problem was to monitor odors throughout the system and determine the source. After

the source(s) could be identified, the appropriate location and strategy for control could be determined. The County

and its engineer Kennedy/Jenks Consultants developed a monitoring program using odor monitoring equipment in

the locations shown to the right.

As suspected, H2S readings in the

Arzadon transition manhole were high,

exceeding 200 ppm daily. However,

the greatest odors were observed after

wastewater mixed and encountered

turbulence within the gravity system

upstream of the Coco Palms Pump

Station. The result was H2S

concentration peaks exceeding 350

ppm on a daily basis in the Coco Palms

Pump Station Wet Well.

Field Testing

A demonstration test was offered by

Parkson for their OHxyPhogg unit, a

system that injects an atomized mix of

ozone, water, and air into the air space

of a wet well, manhole, or other

elements of the collection system. The

unit’s odor control is based on destruction of odor-causing compounds by hydroxyl radicals in the solution. The mist

injected into the air space provides surface area to contact the foul air, allowing more opportunities for reactions to

take place quickly.

A trailer-mounted OHxyPhogg unit was set up with atomizers injecting mist into the wet well. Several different

atomizers were tested at several different output rates, and the most effective combination was determined. The best

configuration was achieved with one nozzle placed 1 foot below ground surface, and the second placed at 2 feet

below ground surface. The mist solution was injected through the nozzles at varying rates to determine the optimum

application rates and ratios for each nozzle configuration.

On the day prior to the test, the H2S concentration in the wet well averaged 84 ppm and peaked at 304 ppm. During

the test, the H2S concentration was 0.2 ppm. The test was determined to be a good application of the technology.

Based on the results of the test, the manufacturer developed a recommendation for the application.


Page 8


Design and Construction

The design incorporated many of the elements of the successful test. The OHxyPhogg unit was installed in a fiberglass

shed to protect it from the salt water mist, and mist solution piping was permanently installed below grade.

The mist solution piping and tubing were

installed on the top of the wet well. The

nozzles were placed in the wet well in the

optimum configuration (at 1 foot and 2 feet

below the surface). The oxidant

application rate used during the

demonstration test was 1.33 lbs/day of

ozone, plus water and air. The application

rate for the actual installation was

determined in the field by the odor control

unit manufacturer's representative.

Since installation and startup of the

OHxyPhogg system, complaints about

odors have stopped. The costs for power

and water to operate the system have

been negligible.


The pilot test system was mounted in a trailer and powered by a generator

The equipment is installed in the green shed in the background, the pump

sta�on dry well and wet well access manways are in the foreground

Page 9


With the most significant odor source under control, the County will continue to work on the remaining elements of the

system. In the near future, the manholes that were identified as odor sources will be sealed with manhole inserts and a

passive carbon scrubber will be installed. These additional installations at Coco Palms pump station will treat air with

residual amounts of H2S. The carbon scrubber system will be constructed with the option to add blowers for active

treatment if it becomes necessary. The final step will be to investigate and test options to add non-hazardous

chemicals to the Arzadon Pump Station to reduce formation of sulfide-containing compounds that cause odors.

Conclusion

The project construction cost was approximately $320,000 (including equipment). The additional power and water

costs are negligible, and there are no consumable chemicals involved in odor control. The project has been a “win”

for the County of Kauai Wastewater Management Division and a huge success for the residents of the Kapaa

community.

By studying the odor sources and determining a rational approach to controls, the County got the most “bang for its

buck” while making neighbors happy. The ozone hydroxyl radical-based odor control technology is effectively

destroying the offending compounds in the Coco Palms Pump Station wet well. While the goal was to reduce H2S

concentrations to less than 10 ppm, the system has been achieving concentrations less than 1 ppm on a regular basis.

An activated carbon scrubber will be added to provide additional treatment and an extra measure of safety for other

odor sources.

Special thanks on this story to Ed Tschupp and the County of Kauai Wastewater Management Division and Eassie Miller of

Kennedy/Jenks


The mist solu�on is injected through the piping and tubing through the top of the wet well

Page 10


SUPPORTERS OF PNCWA-

LOWER COLUMBIA SECTION

Page 11


Thanks to these sponsors!Thanks to these sponsors!Thanks to these sponsors!Thanks to these sponsors!

The Lower Columbia Section strives to provide educational opportunities for those in the

field of wastewater treatment. We work to do that by offering social events, scholarships, workshops and promoting plant tours around the area. None of this would be possible

without the generous support of our sponsors.

On behalf of the entire Lower Columbia Section of the Pacific Northwest Clean Water As-sociation, we would like to thank:

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

Contact Jeff Hart at [email protected]

for information on sponsorship and advertising.

Brown and Caldwell

Carollo Engineering

CH2M-Hill

Clean Water Services

Kennedy/Jenks Consultants

Murray, Smith & Associates

Richwine Environmental

PNCWA – Lower Columbia Section CONTACTS

Page 12


Name Officers E-MAIL

Dana Devin-

Clarke

President & Young

Professionals Com-

mittee Co-Chair

[email protected]

Priya Dhanapal Vice President [email protected]

Bhargavi

Maremanda Secretary-Treasurer [email protected]

Joel Borchers Section Director [email protected]

Tim Munro Scholarship Chair [email protected]

Jeff Hart

Newsletter Chair &

Young Professionals Committee Co-

Chair

[email protected]

Mike Kebbe Section Director [email protected]

WEF/PNCWA/LCS – Mark your Calendars!

Page 13


Contact Jeff Hart at [email protected] to advertise your event in our newsletter.

When Where What Affiliation Contact

TBD North Plains,

OR

North Plains

Pump Station

Tour

LCS [email protected]

Sep 27 –

Oct1, 2014 New Orleans,

LA WEFTEC WEF http://www.pncwa.org/calendar---events

Oct 26-29,

2014

Vancouver,

WA

Annual

PNCWA

Conference

PNCWA http://www.pncwa.org/pncwa2014-home

July 9,

2014 Webinar CMMS PNCWA Pncwa.org

Sep 11,

2014 Webinar Co-Digestion PNCWA Pncwa.org

June 23,

2014

The Lotus

Cardroom in

Portland, OR

YP and Stu-

dent Chapter

Social

AWWA-

PNCWA YP

Groups

[email protected]

Page 13

We’re on the web! http://lowercolumbia.pncwa.org


If you have an interesting project, a new process, or are just plain proud of your plant, let us know. We can organize a showcase for your project. Con-

tact Jeff Hart and let him know that you want to show off! ([email protected])

Want to feature your project in our newsletter?

Just like Adventures in the Islands?

Texting LCS to 42828 will allow you to add your email address to the LCS mailing list.

Or

You could scan this with your smart phone:

Page 14


1) If the influent flow to your treatment plant primary clarifier is 6.5 MGD and carries a TSS concentration of 350 mg/L, how many pounds of TSS does the primary

clarifier see per day?

6.5 Million Gallon(s) X 350 mg (ppm or mg/L) X 8.34 Pounds =

Day Million mg Gallon(s)

= 18,973 pounds per day

2) If your aeration basin is 20-ft wide and 60-ft long with a depth of 15-ft, how many

pounds of biomass will the aeration carry if the MLSS is 2500 mg/L and the volatile portion is 85%?

First, find the volume of the aeration basin in million gallons (MG).

20-ft X 60-ft X 15-ft = 18,000 ft3

18,000 ft3 X 7 .48 Gallon(s) X MG = 0.13 MG

ft3 1,000,000 Gallon(s)

Next, get the correct concentration. The biological portion of the MLSS is as-

sumed to be the volatile portion. Therefore, when you’re speaking about the bio

mass, you’re talking about the volatile portion of the MLSS.

2500 mg/L X 0.85 = 2125 mg/L

Now that you have all the correct terms, just plug them into the Pounds Forumla

and you’re good to go.

0.13 Million Gallon(s) X 2125 mg (ppm or mg/L) X 8.34 Pounds = Million mg Gallon(s)

= 2,386 pounds

SOLUTIONS TO WASTEWATER MATH CHALLENGE FROM PAGE 4 & 5

Documents

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT - PNCWA